Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements for these benefits prior to November 6, 2004.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus but this does not affect the denial of TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to noise, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service exposure to noise, and service connection for this condition is granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied by law due to the absence of a current disability. Service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for frostbite residuals of the right little finger has been granted. The effective date is set at December 16, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim is granted as both conditions are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently on appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review them.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for residuals of right ankle sprain, claimed as a right foot/ankle disability, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left cheekbone fracture, deviated nasal septum, and chronic sinusitis were denied as there is no evidence to support the current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus first manifested during active duty service and has persisted since then, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a nexus opinion regarding tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions on whether his current disabilities are related to military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or causation related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus and recurrent ingrown toenail of the left great toe are service-connected. However, there is no evidence to support a finding that her back disability is related to service.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and recurrent ingrown toenail of the left great toe. Her back condition was not found during the May 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any hearing loss or tinnitus. After service, the Veteran reported first experiencing hearing loss and tinnitus in March 2010.,VA examination in July 2010 found no current left ear hearing loss disability under VA criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred during active service and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus had its onset in service and grants service connection for this condition.